How To Adjust Your Cat With Your Dog?

Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)

Even though adjusting your cat to live with your dog might be challenging at times, you can succeed in this attempt with the appropriate advice.

Always approach this situation with patience and give both your cat and dog plenty of time to adjust. To prevent aggressiveness and conflicts, always introduce them under your supervision. While introducing your cat, be vocal and use orders to keep your dog under control.

In this article, I will guide you through the whole process of how you can adjust your cat to the presence of your dog.

Adjusting your cat with your dog: Vet Explains

Feeding behind the door

Place your cat in a separate room with its litter box, eating bowl, and water. When it's mealtime, feed your dog opposite the door to the same room while also feeding your cat. Don't put their food bowls too close to the door since they might be disturbed by each other's presence at first.

Gradually bring the bowls closer to the door until both can eat normally in the presence of each other opposite the door. This way they will learn to eat together without getting stressed out.

Scent mixing

Because scent is a highly powerful method of asserting presence and authority in the animal kingdom, getting your cat accustomed to your dog's fragrance is critical. You should exchange your dog's blanket with your cat's blanket so that your cat becomes used to the scent of your dog. When your cat is eating, put your dog's blanket close to its food bowl.

You may also switch out their clothing or bedding. All of these measures will help your cat become comfortable around your dog.

Allow cat to explore

Allow your cat to leave its room and explore the surroundings while keeping your dog confined in its preferred area of the house. This is an excellent approach for your cat to become accustomed to the environment of your home and for it to see and smell your dog at the same time. It may get anxious at first, but it will soon relax. You can also do this while keeping your dog outside the house if your cat is too scared of it.

Gradual introductions

Introduce them under your supervision once your cat has gotten used to your dog's scent. Make sure none of them becomes aggressive or furious, and constantly pet your cat while being vocal to boost its confidence.

If you believe they are becoming aggressive, separate them for a while and begin again. Your cat and dog will ultimately become accustomed to one another after you repeat the entire introduction drill a few times.

Don’t force your cat

Never force your cat to adjust to your dog; doing so might result in complicated behavioral changes. Instead, let your cat do so at its own rate. Forcing your cat may potentially force it to attack your dog, or worse.

This will make your dog feel insecure around the cat in the future. Be patient and allow your cat plenty of time to adjust to your dog's presence. If you believe the situation is out of your control, you can seek the assistance of qualified cat trainers.

References:

1. P. (n.d.). Introducing Your New Cat to Your Dog. PAWS. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.paws.org/resources/introducing-cat-to-dog/